by Brian Cain
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
Tuesday morning on the way home from his usual clockwork run of taking Tammy to school, Jason stopped at the newsagent’s to pick up a newspaper; he also purchased a diary. He had never kept a diary before, but things had changed. After settling behind what had been his father’s desk, in the study at home, he opened the new diary at the day’s corresponding page. He looked at the day and date: Tuesday the fourth of July, nineteen ninety-five. Jason had never really been concerned what day it was but now it was very important to him, the diary informed him it was American Independence Day. He looked outside. It was raining. Mid-winter. He had never really worried about what time of year it was, but now he did. He picked up a pen and wrote on the diary’s exposed page.
Organise meetings to establish approach required for continuation of family’s profitable empire. Delegation of trustworthy people to assist in such a task.
Jason looked at the words he had written. They had come from inside him like his songs. He didn’t know where they had come from, the same as he didn’t know why he had suddenly bought the diary. He followed his instinct and searched his book of telephone numbers for Geoff Harrison, the McDonald family lawyer. He punched the numbers into his phone and a voice answered.
“Geoff Harrison, can I help you?”
“Geoff, it’s Jason Brinkly.”
“Jason, great to hear from you! I’m sorry about your father, Jason, he will be long remembered for what he achieved. I haven’t called, although I should have. I need to see you, if I could, but I know how you must be feeling.”
“That’s a coincidence, Geoff, I wanted to see you as soon as I could. We have a lot to organise. I will need your advice on some things, if you don’t mind.”
“I’d only be too pleased to help out. What did you want to know?”
“The full details of my estate; everything right down to the last cent. Could you be here tomorrow afternoon with that?”
“I was going to be busy, but for you, I’ll do it. With Malinda’s, your father’s and your own fortunes, you will probably be one of the richest men in the world, a big responsibility for such a young man. Something tells me this is only the start too. When I first met you I had a strange feeling of well being and I would be only too pleased to help.”
“I too knew you could be trusted, Geoff and I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. I have much to learn.”
“Great, Jason, I’ll be there with what you asked for. It’s strange, you know I knew you were going to call! Catch you then, bye.” As soon as Jason had hung up he called Watson.
“Watson, it’s Jason. I would like to see you tomorrow, if possible, at home here.”
“Jason I have been so worried about you, but you sound fine. What did you want to see me about?”
“I want to know the full details of the family business right down to the last cent, where everything is and what we are up to. I’ll need your help for a while too, until I get used to things as well. Could you manage that?”
“Everyone’s been very worried about what’s going to happen. I’m so pleased you’re showing the strength you need to tackle the task ahead of you. Your father would be so proud. I’ll be there tomorrow afternoon. Will that be okay?”
“Perfect, I’ll see you then.”
“It’s strange, you know, Jason, I knew you were going to call me just before the phone rang! I’ll get on to it right away and I’ll see you tomorrow, ‘bye.” Jason rang Steven Brooks.
“Is that you Jason?” asked Steven.
“Yes.”
“The strangest thing just happened! I was going to leave the office, but I waited, knowing you were going to call. What is it you want of me?”
“I need your help. Here, tomorrow afternoon, can you make it?”
“Consider it done. I’ll get busy here and see you then. You’re my dearest friend Jason. I’ve been really worried about you. Spending some time with you will be great.”
“Thanks Steven, I’ll see you then, ‘bye.” Jason hung up stood and walked to the window watching the rain. His deep thought was interrupted by the beep of the phone. He picked up the receiver.
“Hello, Jason Brinkly.”
“Jason, Adelaide Mayor, Fred Banks speaking. I’ve rung to thank you for the kind donation of the old Convent as a park for all who wish to use it, in memory of your father, wife and the Sisters themselves. I’ve heard a lot about you lately and I’ll get straight to the point. I’d be very interested in you joining the Council’s Committee. A man of your standing and generosity would carry a lot of weight with the public, if you know what I mean.”
Jason smelt a rat but something told him it was the corridor to power and to grasp it.
“Mayor Banks, thank you, I would love to discuss my plans for the park and help the city in any other way I can. Would four-thirty this afternoon, in my city office of Brinkly International, be convenient?”
“I was going to be busy, but such a meeting is very important, so yes, four-thirty is fine. I know where it is, as I’ve met your father there on more than one occasion, God rest his soul.”
“Four-thirty and we’ll get the ball rolling. See you then, ‘bye.” said Jason, then he slowly put down the receiver with a frown. He felt the insincere and evil intent of the call. Jason made more notes in his diary, as plans for the future appeared in front of him. He contacted Vic and Brad; they too were relieved to hear his voice in good spirits. He asked for their presence tomorrow afternoon and they both gladly accepted.
Jason picked up Tammy from school and headed for his father’s office to await the Mayor’s visit. The car park door below the office complex opened automatically as Jason approached in his Rolls Royce. He parked where his father had parked for the last ten years, where a plaque on the wall in front of the parking space bore his father’s name. He held Tammy in his arms as he took the lift to the top floor. His father’s secretary was surprised by his arrival.
“Mr Brinkly, I’m so sorry about your father,” said the secretary.
“Thank you, please call me Jason. I’m expecting the Mayor in a half an hour at four- thirty for a meeting. Could you please let me know when he arrives?”
“Of course Jason,” answered the secretary with a warm smile. Jason approached his father’s office door, which wore a gold inscription, Robert Jason Brinkly Managing Director. Jason turned to the secretary.
“Could you have the names changed around on the door please? It’s now, Jason Robert Brinkly, thank you. This is Tammy my daughter; I didn’t catch your name.”
“Oh Debra, I’ll get it done straightaway Jason.”
“Thank you.” He put Tammy down, took her by the hand, they walked into the office and closed the door.
“I can smell granddad in here, daddy,” said Tammy.
“So can I darling. Will you draw me some pictures of mummy and granddad if I find you some paper and a pencil?”
“Okay, we did some drawing at school today. Teacher said I’m getting very good.”
“Great, I can’t wait to see,” said Jason as he sat Tammy on the floor beside his father’s chair behind the desk, with a pen and some paper. He sat in his father’s chair for the first time and flicked his long hair behind his back with his thumbs, resting his elbows on the table and put his chin in his hands. He gazed into space, waiting for the Mayor’s arrival. He had often wondered about why he was alive; if he would marry and have children; where his music and placid nature came from. Now it was so clear to him. He felt his destiny within himself, every time the hand had touched his shoulder. Now he felt it within his own mind. The strange deep stirring he often felt was beginning to erupt. Malinda and his father had not died in vain.
Jason sat in the chair that would lead the thrust of his life in search of the answer, Outside The Circle. Without an ounce of fear, he waited.
CIRCLES OF FEAR
PART TWO
OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE
